¹⁷The Ammonites gathered for war and camped in Gilead. The Israelites gathered and camped at Mizpah. ¹⁸The leaders of the people of Gilead said, “Who will lead us to attack the Ammonites? He will become the head of all those who live in Gilead.”

Jephthah Is Chosen as Leader

11Jephthah was a strong soldier from Gilead. His father was named Gilead, and his mother was a prostitute. ²Gilead’s wife had several sons. When they grew up, they forced Jephthah to leave his home, saying to him, “You will not get any of our father’s property, because you are the son of another woman.” ³So Jephthah ran away from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob. There some worthless men began to follow him.

⁴After a time the Ammonites fought against Israel. ⁵When the Ammonites made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to Jephthah to bring him back from Tob. ⁶They said to him, “Come and lead our army so we can fight the Ammonites.”

⁷But Jephthah said to them, “Didn’t you hate me? You forced me to leave my father’s house. Why are you coming to me now that you are in trouble?”

⁸The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “It is because of those troubles that we come to you now. Please come with us and fight against the Ammonites. You will be the ruler over everyone who lives in Gilead.”

⁹Then Jephthah answered, “If you take me back to Gilead to fight the Ammonites and the Lord helps me win, I will be your ruler.”

¹⁰The elders of Gilead said to him, “The Lord is listening to everything we are saying. We promise to do all that you tell us to do.” ¹¹So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him their leader and commander of their army. Jephthah repeated all of his words in front of the Lord at Mizpah.

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